“All our indications were and continue to be that it was a safe place of work, but what occurred was a terrible tragedy, the details of which we don’t know,” Mr Willox said.

The ABC understands another Ai Group apprentice was due to begin work at the site a few weeks after Dillon, but withdrew from the program after learning of the death.

Marshall Lethlean has declined requests for an interview.

In the wake of the ABC’s report, the Federal Opposition said it was concerned about whether any Ai Group apprentices were currently deployed at “unsafe workplaces”.

“Labor is very concerned about this incident and whether it reveals a systemic problem with the way Ai Group approaches workplace safety,” Opposition workplace relations spokesman Brendan O’Connor said.

“Labor calls on [the Government] to undertake an immediate investigation into whether Ai Group has sent any other apprentices into worksites where workplace hazards existed.”

Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations, Kelly O’Dwyer, said the death of Dillon was tragic.

“I understand that WorkSafe Victoria is investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an ongoing investigation.”

Inspectors revisit troubled factory

Following Dillon’s death, WorkSafe has banned Marshall Lethlean from allowing staff to work in confined spaces.

The ABC has spoken to several Marshall Lethlean workers who say safety procedures have not improved since the incident.

A WorkSafe inspector returned to the factory on October 25 after receiving a complaint from a worker who claimed staff had been told to resume working inside tankers.

Management denied workers had been told to return to work in confined spaces, according to the inspector’s written report.

WorkSafe is now preparing an investigation into the circumstances around Dillon’s death.

In May, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced Labor would introduce industrial manslaughter laws if it won this month’s state election.

Last year, the Queensland Government introduced a maximum 20-year prison sentence and a $10 million finefor employers found guilty of industrial manslaughter.

Ai Group has been among the most vocal opponents of the proposed changes to state and territory laws, describing the Queensland legislation as “poorly conceived and unnecessary”.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, which represents workers at Marshall Lethlean, said there is a need for tougher workplace safety regulations.

“That would wake employers up and really take notice about employees’ safety and making sure that they actually take that duty of care that they need to,” AMWU Victorian secretary Tony Mavromatis said.

Mr Willox said it was an inappropriate time to talk about changes to the law.

“This is a terrible tragedy and I wouldn’t like anyone — unions or anyone else — seeking to make some political capital out of this,” he said.

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